Present status on conservation and management of mangrove ecosystems in the Islands of Gulf of Mannar region Tamilnadu

The mangroves grow luxuriantly in alluvial soil substrates, which are fine textured, loose mud or silt, rich in humus and sulphides and they develop in low lying and broad coastal plains where the topographic gradients are very small and tidal amplitude is large. Their distribution is limited by temperature and they prefer moist atmosphere and freshwater inflow, which brings in abundance nutrients and silts from terrestrial source. The mangroves occur in sheltered shores as waves and currents damage the mangrove seedlings. Repeatedly flooded but well drained soils support good growth of mangroves, but impeded drainage is detrimental